The Office of the Vice Provost for Research in consultation with the Provost Council on Research is responsible for setting minimum stipend levels for postdoctoral trainees across the University. Many postdoctoral trainees at Penn are supported by National Research Service Awards (NRSA), with stipend levels determined by the federal government (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-11-067.html).

In the continuing effort to reduce the disparity between NRSA and University funded postdocs we are raising the University’s minimum stipend levels by 3% in all cases where the University minimum is less than that provided by NRSA. This percentage increase is within the University’s guidelines for compensation increases for fiscal year FY2012.

It is important to remember that recommended stipend levels represent minimums. Departments may establish their own guidelines as long as stipend rates meet or exceed those established by the University. Penn investigators are also expected to comply with any postdoctoral stipend guidelines that are promulgated by their sponsors, if these sponsor-specified guidelines exceed the Penn minimum stipend levels.

1. For beginning and first year postdoctoral trainees, the minimum stipend levels are consistent with the NRSA stipend levels.

Levels for all years are:

Years of Experience

Minimum Stipends FY2012

00

$38,496

01

$40,548

02

$42,511

03

$43,785

04

$45,100

2. Those current postdoctoral trainees who receive stipends in excess of the minimum should also receive an increase of at least three percent.

3. Stipends should be adjusted upwards during the course of the Penn fiscal year, either at the time of the annual postdoctoral reappointment, at the time of the annual grant renewal, or at the beginning of the NIH fiscal year.

4. Individual Schools can set their own stipend levels above those recommended in these guidelines.